Citrus rootstock named &#39;UFR-15&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘UFR-15’ is a new and distinct diploid hybrid citrus rootstock for improved disease resistance. ‘UFR-15’ has shown a positive reaction to the Huanglongbing disease (HLB, or citrus greening disease) in multiple experimental field trials. Scion trees grafted on this rootstock show a reduced frequency of infection and reduced disease symptoms once infected as compared to commercial diploid rootstocks.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/942,576, filed Feb. 20, 2014, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Citrus grandis×Citrus reticulata

Variety denomination: ‘UFR-15’

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of citrus rootstock named ‘UFR-15’. The Plant Improvement Team in Lake Alfred, Fla. has pioneered the development and testing of allotetraploid citrus rootstocks. ‘UFR-15’ (identified as “46×20-04-37” in field trials) is a diploid hybrid derived from a conventional cross of Hirado Buntan pink pummelo×Cleopatra mandarin.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘UFR-15’ was selected as a potential citrus rootstock on the basis of its positive reaction to Huanglongbing disease (HLB, or citrus greening disease) in multiple experimental field trials. Scion trees grafted onto this rootstock showed a reduced frequency of infection and reduced disease symptoms once infected, when compared to other commercial diploid rootstocks. Scion trees grafted onto this rootstock grow off quickly and are vigorous in the field, producing medium-large trees comparable in size to trees on sour orange rootstock. ‘UFR-15’ is partially polyembryonic, and seedling populations need to be carefully rogued in nurseries to remove zygotics. ‘UFR-15’ is expected to grow well on calcareous soils, and should also be tolerant of blight (pummelo×mandarin hybrids in general show superior blight tolerance). Long-term performance of trees on this rootstock selection is unknown. Yield and fruit quality data is limited, and trees do not begin cropping until the 4th year (this rootstock does not induce precocious bearing). Tolerance to Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) is unknown, but trees grafted with CTV-infected grapefruit have shown normal growth in the greenhouse and field. True-to typeness of UFR-15 through asexual reproduction was demonstrated by planting a second tree of UFR-15 grafted to Swingle citrumelo rootstock in Wimauma, Fla. Seeds from this tree and the original tree are predominantly of nucellar origin and produce true-to-type seedlings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

‘UFR-15’ is illustrated by the accompanying photographs, which show the tree's form, foliage, and fruit. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of a tree approximately 10 years old. All figures were taken in December of 2013.

FIG. 1.—Shows a close-up of the nearly mature fruits with the rind and cross-sectional view of the fruit when cut in the center.

FIG. 2.—Shows the overall mature plant growth habit.

FIG. 3.—Shows mature fruits hanging on the tree.

FIG. 4.—Shows a close-up of leaves and mature fruits.

FIG. 5.—Shows a close-up of mature fruits.

FIG. 6.—Shows a close-up of seeds from mature fruit.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘UFR-15’. The colors (except those in common terms) are described from the R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society in London (second edition), in association with the Flower Council of Holland.

-   Phenotypic description of Citrus grandis×Citrus reticulata ‘UFR-15’: -   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Citrus paradisi×Citrus reticulata.         -   Common name.—Pummelo×mandarin hybrid. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Hirado Buntan pink pummelo (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Cleopatra mandarin (unpatented). -   Tree:     -   -   Ploidy.—Diploid.         -   Size.—Medium.         -   Height.—2.45 meters.         -   Tree spread.—3.2 to 3.6 meters.         -   Vigor.—Moderately vigorous.         -   Density.—Canopies are quite dense.         -   Form.—The tree is obloid-shaped with lateral and upright             branches growing. Branches with fruit exhibit drooping.         -   Growth habit.—Both upright and lateral growth with a low to             medium angle. -   Trunk:     -   -   Trunk diameter.—13.1 cm in diameter at 30 cm above the             ground on a 7-year-old tree.         -   Trunk texture.—Rough.         -   Trunk bark color.—RHS 198A (greyed-green); irregularly             striated with RHS 147A (yellow-green). -   Branches:     -   -   Crotch angle.—First crotch forms 60- to 70-degree angle;             middle crotch forms a 50-degree angle.         -   Branch length.—Branch reaches 3.0 meters from the first             crotch to the tip of the branch.         -   Branch texture.—Relatively smooth occasionally with small             thorns or spines         -   Branch color (shoots from previous flush, hardened and 4 to             5 mm in diameter).—RHS N138A (green). -   Leaves:     -   -   Size (lamina average).—Length: 110.8 mm Width: 65.7 mm L/W             ratio: 1.69.         -   Thickness.—Slightly thicker than average sour orange.         -   Type.—Simple.         -   Shape.—Elliptical.         -   Apex.—Recuse.         -   Base.—Acute to sub-obtuse.         -   Margin.—Entire and slightly undulate.         -   Surface.—Upper surface: Glabrous Lower surface: Medium veins             that are pinnately netted.         -   Color.—Upper surface (adaxial): RHS N137A (green) Lower             surface (abaxial): RHS 144A (yellow-green).         -   Petiole.—Shape: Brevipetiolate (shorter than leaf lamina);             junction between petiole and lamina is articulate Width             (petiole wing): Narrow Shape (petiole wing): Obovate Length:             19.4 to 32.3 mm Width: 5.4 to 15.2 mm Color: RHS N137A             (green). -   Flowers and flower buds:     -   -   Type.—Hermaphrodite.         -   Bearing.—Flowers grow from leaf axillaries and leaf             terminals singly and in small clusters; most single flowers             grow from leaf axillaries.         -   Flower bud size.—Shape: Initial visible flower bud has a             round ball shape; mature flower bud has an elongated olive             shape.         -   Flower petals.—Shape: Flat, spatula-shaped Apex shape:             Smooth, acute-shaped Base shape: Even obtuse Margin: Smooth.         -   Flower sepal.—Shape: Delta-shaped with an acute angle at the             apex Apex shape: Triangle-shaped Margin: Smooth.         -   Fragrance.—Fragrant/Moderately fragrant.         -   Reproductive organs.—Fertility: Appears self-fertile Pollen             amount: Abundant/Moderate amount Pollen color (general):             Bright-yellow Ovary shape: Oval-shaped. -   Fruit:     -   -   Size.—Uniform.         -   Height.—93 to 95.5 mm on average.         -   Width.—89.2 to 94.8 mm on average.         -   Average weight (per individual fruit).—400.8 grams.         -   Shape.—Round.         -   Shape (cross-section).—Round.         -   Apex.—Truncated.         -   Apex cavity diameter.—N/A.         -   Base cavity diameter.—5.8 to 7.5 mm.         -   Base.—No neck, with wrinkled shoulder.         -   Harvesting.—Fruit can be harvested from October through             December in Florida.         -   Fruit stem (short stem connecting the fruit).—Length: 8.6 mm             Diameter: 5.7 mm Color: RHS 189A (greyed-green) with RHS 144             (yellow-green) strip. -   Rind:     -   -   Adherence.—Adherence between albedo (mesocarp) and flesh             (endocarp) is medium. The adherence is evenly distributed             from base to apex.         -   Thickness.—5.6 to 6.8 mm on average.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Flavedo (epicarp): Ranges between RHS 151B             (yellow-green) to RHS 151A (yellow-green) Albedo (mesocarp):             RHS 150D (yellow-green).         -   Stylar end.—Closed.         -   Rind oil cell density.—185 oil cells/square cm. -   Flesh:     -   -   Number of segments.—Between 8 and 10 segments per fruit on             average.         -   Segment walls.—Medium firm with sufficient strength to             maintain integrity as separated.         -   Juice.—Abundant.         -   Color.—Uniformly RHS 19B (yellow-orange).         -   Texture.—Medium/soft.         -   Vesicles.—Length: Arranged from 16 to 21 mm on average             Diameter (thickness): 3.8 to 4.2 mm on average.         -   Eating quality.—N/A.         -   Juice index.—Soluble solids (average): 7.9 Brix. -   Seeds:     -   -   Type.—Partially polyembryonic.         -   Number.—Ranges from 20 to 23. Occasionally, some fruit             contains less than 20 seeds.         -   Shape.—Seed shapes are not uniform. Normal seeds are mostly             ventricose/swollen-shaped and clavate club shaped.         -   Size.—Length: 12.5 to 13 mm Width: 5.7 to 7.5 mm.         -   Seed coat color.—Outer Surface: RHS N155B (white) and             smooth/ wrinkled Inner surface: RHS 164A (greyed-orange)             Cotyledon color: RHS 155A (white). -   Resistance to disease: ‘UFR-15’ rootstock was selected on the basis     of its positive reaction to HLB disease (huanglongbing or citrus     greening disease) in multiple field trials. Trees on this rootstock     show a reduced frequency of infection and reduced disease symptoms     once infected as compared to commercial diploid rootstocks. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct citrus rootstock cultivar as illustrated and described herein. 